Air purifying and deodorizing device for automobiles

ABSTRACT

An air purifying and deodorizing device for an automobile comprising a housing positioned on the rear window deck of the automobile and having air intake and air discharge openings. An electronic filtering device is mounted at the air intake opening for removing air-borne particles from the air being taken into the device. A ring-shaped filter device is positioned in the housing for further filtering the air as it passes therethrough. A deodorant cup is positioned within the ring-shaped filter and deodorizes the air as the air passes through the device. An electric fan means is positioned below the rear deck and is adapted to draw the air through the device and to discharge the same through the discharge opening. A directional vent is provided at the discharge opening for directing the discharged air onto the rear window to de-fog the same. An optional purifying and deodorizing device may also be employed which is adapted to supply outside air into the interior of the vehicle and to purify and deodorize the same.

United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,722,182

' 52 US. Cl. .,..s5/124, 55/138,55/145,

, 1,756,897 4/1930 Bilsky ..-.123/119A' 011116118611 v 1 1 Mar. 27, 19731541 AIR PURIFYINGANDDEODORIZING 2,185,486 1/1940 wa111be1 f. ..165/43XDEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILES 2.2 7.638. 9/1941 2,873,953 2/1959 [76] Inventor:John E.'Gilbertson, 2200 Ashworth ,015, 03 1962' Rd.,West Des'Moines,1owa'59261 3,027,970 4/1962 1 Filed: v 101 1970vv f FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 1 Appl- ,1 67,389 9/1951 France ..55/124 948,370 2/1964GreatBritain.....

Primary Examiner Dennis E. Talbert, Jr. v 55/279, 55/318, 55/385,55/415, 55/467, Attorneriafley McKee uhomte I 55/510, 98/204, 98/2.l1[51] hit. Cl ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search ..98/2, 204, 2.11; 62/244; u

55/124, 385,510, 279, 126, 138,387, 145, puflfymgand 9 f for an 318 415467; 165/42 43 v tomobile compnsmg a housing positioned on the rearwindow deck of the automobile and having 'air intake- [56] Re t I andair'discharge openings. An electronic filtering device is mounted at theair intake opening for remov- UNITED STATES PATENTS ing air-borneparticles from the air being taken into the device. A ring-shaped filterdevice is positioned in the housing for further filtering the air as itpasses therethrough. A deodorant cup is positioned within thering-shaped filter and deodorizes the air as the air passes through thedevice. An electric fan means is positioned below the rear deck and isadapted to draw the air through the device and to discharge the samethrough the discharge opening. A directional vent is provided at thedischarge opening for directing the 1 discharged air onto the rearwindow to de-fog. the same. An optional purifying and deodorizing device1 may also be employed which is adagted tosupply outs 1de air into theinterior of the 've icle and o purify and deodorize the same. I

2 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures -60 56 fi 43 a 46 30 can be opened to clearthe'smoke from the interior of i the vehicle but the wind noise and windcurrents in the vehicle are quite annoying. Further, the opening of thevehicle windows also seriously detracts from the opera tion of thevehicle air conditioning system.

Therefore, it is a principal object of this invention to provide an airpurifying and deodorizing device for an automobile.

A further object of this invention is.to provide an air purifying anddeodorizing device for an automobile which removes air-borne particlesfrom the air.

A further object of this invention is to provide an air purifying anddeodorizing device which not only purifies and deodorizes the air in thevehicle but which also aids in de-fogging the rear window.

A further object of this invention is to provide an air purifying anddeodorizing device which may be used to purify and deodorize outside airbeing brought into the vehicle interior.

A further object of this invention is to provide an air purifying anddeodorizing device for an automobile which includes an air directionalvent at the discharge opening of the device. v

. A further object of this invention is to provide an air purifying anddeodorizing device for an automobile which is mounted on the rear windowdeck of the vehicle.

A further object of this invention is to provide an air purifying anddeodorizing device for an automobile industry which is economical ofmanufacture, durable in use and refined in appearance.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

This invention consists in the construction, arrangements, andcombination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objectscontemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth,specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial side view of the vehicle having the device of thisinvention mounted in the rear window deck.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view as seen along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1 withportions thereof cut away to more fully illustrate the invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view as seen along lines -3-3 of FIG. 2. 7

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the sheltering and deodorizingportions of the device.

FIG. 5 is a partial view similar to FIG. l illustrating an optional unitmounted at the forward end of the vehicle interior.

In FIG. 1, the numeral generally refers to a vehicle such as anautomobile including a rear window 12 and a rear window deck 14 whichextends forwardly from the lower end thereof. The air purifying anddeodorizing device of this invention is referred generally to by thereference numeral 16 and is mounted in the deck 14 so that a largeportion of the device is positioned below the deck 14 and is positionedin the trunk compartment.

I the like. Fan means 20 is secured to the underside of Device 16comprises a support 18 which is received in an opening formed in therear deck and secured to the deck by any convenient means such as screwsor support 18 and is driven by an electric motor 22 electricallyconnected to the vehicle electrical system. Fan means 20 has an openupper end 24 which serves as the air intake means and has an airdischarge means 26 for discharging air outwardly therethrough. Tubing 28connects the air discharge means 26 with a directional vent means 30mounted in the rear deck 14. Vent means 30 includes a rotatable ventmember 32 which deflected or directed onto the rear window 12 so as tode-ice or de-fog the same.

Bracket 34 is secured to support 18 by screws 36 and extend upwardlytherefrom. Bracket 38 is secured to and extends over the upper end of adeodorant cup 40 by any convenient means such as screws 42. The bracket38 is secured to the bracket 34 by means of a bolt 44 extendingtherethrough as will'be explained hereinafter. A ring-shaped filter 46extends around the cup 40 as illustrated in FIG. 3 and is maintained inthe position of FIG. 3 by means of a cover element 48 extending over theupper end thereof and being maintained in position by the bolt member 44extending therethrough. Nut 50 is threadably mounted on the lower end ofthe bolt member 44 to maintain the parts in the position seen in FIG. 3.Cover 48 is provided with a plurality of openings 52 formed in the upperend thereof to permit air to be drawn downwardly therethrough'across thedeodorant cup 40 so that the incoming air will be deodorized by thedeodorant in. the cup 40. The deodorant in the cup 40 may be liquid,paste, etc. As seen in FIG. 3, the sides of the filter 46 are exposed topermit the flow of air therethrough so that the filter 46 will filterthe air passing therethrough.

Cover 54 extends over the filter and encloses the same as illustrated inthe drawings. Cover 54 is provided with an intake opening 56 throughwhich theincoming air is passed. The numeral 58 refers generally to anelectronic filtering means which is provided'at the intake opening 56 sothat the incoming air is electronically filtered. The numerals 60 and 62generally refer to 5000 volt wires which impart a positive charge to theair-borne particles in the incoming air. The numeral 64 refers to aplurality of spaced-apart aluminum plates which are positionedinwardlyof the wires 60 and 62. Each of the plates have a positive or negativecharge and are alternately disposed so that a pair of negative platesare separated by a positive plate.

In operation, the device would be activated by a suitable switchprovided in the automobile so as to energize the electronic filter 58and so as to energize the electric motor 22 to cause the air to be drawninwardly through the electronic filter S8. The air passes between thewires 60 and 62 which impart a positive charge to the airborneparticles. As the charged particles pass between the plates 64, thepositively charged particles are attracted to the plates 64 having anegative charge. The plates 64 having a positive charge tend to deflector divert the positively charged particles towards the plates having anegative charge. The particles in the incoming air are thus attracted tothe plates 64 having a negative charge and remain thereon so that theincoming air is electronically filtered. The electronically'filtered airis then drawn inwardly through the filter 4610 further filter the air. Acertain amount of the air is also drawn through the openings 52 acrossthe deodorant as previously described. The air is drawn inwardly throughthe fan means 20 and is discharged outwardly through the vent means 30onto the rear window of the vehicle so as to de-ice or de-fog the same.

, As the vehicle is being operated, the device continually purifies anddeodorizes the air in the vehicle so as to remove odors, smoke, etc.from the air. The air in the vehicle will be continually circulated bythe device and will be continually deodorized and purified to providethe occupants of the vehicle with clean air.

FIG. 5 illustrates a vehicle having an auxiliary device 16' provided atthe forward end of the passenger compartment. The device 16' isidentical to the device 16 except that a cover 66 extends over thedevice which is in communication with the outside air by means of aconduit 68. The device 16 permits outside air to be drawn into thevehicle and deodorized and purified as it is being introduced into theinterior of the vehicle. The device 16 at the rear deck of the vehiclewill continually clean the air that is in the interior so as to removesmoke, etc. therefrom.

Thus it can be seen that an extremely efiicient and unique device hasbeen provided for purifying and deodorizing the air in the interior ofan automobile. Therefore, it can be seen that the device accomplishes atleast all of its stated objectives.

I claim:

1. A device of the kind described comprising:

a vehicle having a rear window with a rear deck positioned forwardly ofthe lower end of the rear window, said deck having an opening therein;

an air purifying device having an air intake opening and an airdischarge opening both in communication with the interior of saidvehicle;

support means mounted in said opening of said deck,

and

said air purifying device mounted on said support means and comprisingan electronic filter adjacent said intake opening, a ring-shaped filter,a deodorizing device, and a fan;

said fan being positioned below said support means and said electronicfilter, said ring shaped filter, and said deodorizing devicebeingpositioned above said support means;

said fan comprising an intake means adapted to draw.

air from said air intake opening and said fan further comprising an airdischarge means for discharging air outwardly therethrough;

means connecting said discharge means of said fan to said dischargeopening for directing air outwardly through said discharge opening;

said ring shaped filter and said deodorizing device being positioned inthe path of air moving from said intake opening towards said fan;

said deodorizing device containing a deodorizing an air purifying devicemounted on said support means and having an air in-take opening incommunication with the interior of the vehicle and an air dischargeopening in communication with the interior of the vehicle, an airpurifying means on said device to purify the air as it passes throughthe device, said air purifying device comprising a filter means locatedabove said support member, an air fan means located below said supportmember and operatively connected to said means for drawing air throughsaid air purifying device, and means for directing air through saidfilter means and said support plate, thence through said air fan means,

and thence upwardly through an air discharge opening in said supportmeans,

an air deodorizing means mounted on said support plate to deodorize theair as it passes through said device,v 1

a directional vent being provided on said discharge opening to permitthe discharged air to be selec-- tively directed onto said rear window,

said air purifying means comprising an electronic air filtering meansadapted to remove air-borne particles from the air passing through thedevice,

a second air purifying device in said vehicle having an air intakeopening in communication with the atmosphere outside of the interior ofsaid vehicle,

' said second device having an air discharge opening in communicationwith the interior of said vehicle, means on said second device forpassing air therethrough, purifying means on said second device topurify the air as it passes therethrough, deodorizing means on saidsecond device for deodorizing the air passing therethrough, said airpurifying means comprising a ring-shaped filter means. v i

1. A device of the kind described comprising: a vehicle having a rearwindow with a rear deck positioned forwardly of the lower end of therear window, said deck having an opening therein; an air purifyingdevice having an air intake opening and an air discharge opening both incommunication with the interior of said vehicle; support means mountedin said opening of said deck, and said air purifying device mounted onsaid support means and comprising an electronic filter adjacent saidintake opening, a ring-shaped filter, a deodorizing device, and a fan;said fan being positioned below said support means and said electronicfilter, said ring shaped filter, and said deodorizing device beingpositioned above said support means; said fan comprising an intake meansadapted to draw air from said air intake opening and said fan furthercomprising an air discharge means for discharging air outwardlytherethrough; means connecting said discharge means of said fan to saiddischarge opening for directing air outwardly through said dischargeopening; said ring shaped filter and said deodorizing device beingpositioned in the path of air moving from said intake opening towardssaid fan; said deodorizing device containing a deodorizing agent whichdeodorizes the air as it passes over said deodorizing device; and an airdirectional vent provided on said discharge opening for Permitting thedischarged air to be selectively directed.
 2. In combination, a vehiclehaving a rear window with a rear deck positioned forwardly of the lowerend of the rear window, a support means mounted in an opening formed insaid rear deck, an air purifying device mounted on said support meansand having an air in-take opening in communication with the interior ofthe vehicle and an air discharge opening in communication with theinterior of the vehicle, an air purifying means on said device to purifythe air as it passes through the device, said air purifying devicecomprising a filter means located above said support member, an air fanmeans located below said support member and operatively connected tosaid means for drawing air through said air purifying device, and meansfor directing air through said filter means and said support plate,thence through said air fan means, and thence upwardly through an airdischarge opening in said support means, an air deodorizing meansmounted on said support plate to deodorize the air as it passes throughsaid device, a directional vent being provided on said discharge openingto permit the discharged air to be selectively directed onto said rearwindow, said air purifying means comprising an electronic air filteringmeans adapted to remove air-borne particles from the air passing throughthe device, a second air purifying device in said vehicle having an airintake opening in communication with the atmosphere outside of theinterior of said vehicle, said second device having an air dischargeopening in communication with the interior of said vehicle, means onsaid second device for passing air therethrough, purifying means on saidsecond device to purify the air as it passes therethrough, deodorizingmeans on said second device for deodorizing the air passingtherethrough, said air purifying means comprising a ring-shaped filtermeans.